Author's Note

This Chapter is in NightmareMoon's perspective for the most part.

VIII - Searching for a New Home

Searching for a New Home

Quote 1

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.”

― Bernard M. Baruch

I don't know why but this pony, he chooses to protect me. Friend or no if I were in his position... I don't think I could do what he does. I may have the power of a god but he has the kindness of somepony who has been giving all his life. NightmareMoon stared down at Jayden as he slept wrapped in her wings and hugged closely to her chest. He is trying his best to be there for me and he doesn't know how much the words he said about me mean. Now I am protecting him... Will he be the one? The one I would sacrifice myself for? Nightmare shook her head and shrugged to herself. For now, I shouldn't worry on the future. I should worry about today and let tomorrow worry about itself. What should I do until he wakes? I definitely don't want to leave him here alone with Twilight. Nightmare pondered on what to do for a fare amount of time until coming to a conclusion. We need a home. We definitely can't use the abandon castle... Nightmare once again looked down at Jayden. What would you do Jayden? Maybe I should enter his dreams and ask him? She immediately shook her head. No! I shouldn't ever do that. It wou... Nightmare sighed and continued to think until she couldn't think anymore on the subject.

Eventually giving up on thinking opens her wings and using magic lifts Jayden onto her back. Maybe I should just act instead of think. Using her wings to keep Jayden on her back she left the library to find somewhere to stay that she deemed safe.

After searching most of the town Moon had knocked on every door that looked to be an Inn of some sort. Moon slumped on a bench in the park laying on her stomach. Jayden still lay asleep on her back covered by her wings. She feels as if she failed Jayden. She couldn't find anywhere that they could stay. Moon got up after a bit and sighed. She would try one last time only this time she would only look for Jayden instead. She didn't want him to catch a cold or possibly freeze to death. She would find somewhere, no matter what she has to do.

Seeing an apple farm she didn't notice before she made her way towards it. She mentally scolded herself on not seeing this place earlier as she passed row after row of apple trees. After getting about halfway through the orchard she stopped and adjusted Jayden on her back so he wouldn't fall off. Getting a look at a large barn and a homely looking house she took a deep breath and made her way to the door of the house. Composing herself she lifted her hoof and knocked on the door lightly and waited patiently for an answer.

The door opened slowly and a elderly mare stood in the doorway. "Hello?" The mare was looking into Nightmare's forelegs until she looked up. The kindness and wisdom in the mare's eyes seemed to extend from the mare and lock Nightmare into place. "How can I help ya sweety?"

Moon cleared her throat and opened her mouth to speak when her stomach growled loud enough for the old mare to hear. The mare just smiled and stepped to the side, guiding her in. Nightmare took a few steps inside the house before looking to the mare. The mare nodded to the couch and she made her way to the kitchen slowly but surely.

Moon just sat there, waiting in silence after she had laid Jayden on the couch. Soon the mare came back with a slice of apple pie on a plate. The mare didn't say a word she just gave her the plate and sat in a rocking chair. All Moon could do is look at the pie until the old mare spoke up.

"Sweety," Moon raised her head to look at the mare as she continued. "What brings ya'll to Sweet Apple Acers?" She asks looking from Moon to Jayden and back. "I'd reckon ya be lookin' fer directions 'til yer tummy started a talkin'." She said with a smile. "I'll understand if yer not wantin' to talk 'bout it but I'd like it well to know."

Moon looked at the mare, computing what she had just said before speaking. "As for what I am here for... No, I shouldn't be rude." Nightmare shook her head a bit. "I think I should introduce myself first. My name is NightmareMooon, and I thank you for taking Jayden and I into your home. Nopony else has been so kind to me." Moon looked down and around the room only to stop on the old mare again. "Could I ask for your name?"

The old mare nodded and replied. "Mah name is Granny Smith but everypony calls me Granny. I'm glad ta see that someponies still introduce demselves. Now eat up, or it'll get cold." Nightmare looked back down at the piece of pie and magically broke off a reasonably sized piece for her and popped it into her mouth. The pie was like a firecracker going off in her mouth, all the wonder and amazement flooded Nightmares mouth with a strong delicious taste. Each bite she took made her want to smile to the point where she almost did. Granny noticed this and spoke again. "Dearie, don't hold off what yer feelin' inside, if ya do how will anypony know what yer feelin'?" Moon finishing the pie and taking Granny's advice smiled a bit.

"Thank you for the pie, it was delicious." Moon said with a bow of her head. "I think I should answer your questions now." Granny only nodded and waited patiently for Moon to speak. Moon takes a few deep breaths before answering. "We need a place to stay for the night for starters, I'm sorry if that comes off rude by the way I said it. Tomorrow, I assume I am going to be house hunting with Jayden, or at least looking for a place of semi-permanent housing. I don't know how long Jayden and I will stay but I'd like to on the safe side."

"I think I get what's going on, yer trying ta prove somethin' ta him." Moon immediately straightened up and shook her head. Granny just laughed a bit and continued talking. "Ya wanna show him yer dependable and can help 'im am I right?" Moon couldn't believe what she was hearing, did Granny think she was in love with Jayden? Or maybe that she thought of him as more than a friend? Moon just shook her head no again and Granny laughed again only it was a few giggles, if you could call little cackles giggles. "If ya need a place ta stay the night ya can stay her'. Just no funnin' around on the couch, okay?"

Moon knew exacly what the elderly mare was referencing to and she couldn't hide a blush of embarrassment that she would think such a thing. They were only friends, nothing serious like that... Moon shook her head and looked back to where Granny was sitting to find her no longer there. Moon looked up and out the window to see darkness staring back at her. How long was she thinking to herself? She didn't know. Shaking it off and placing it in a mental lockbox and tossing it into a pile of things in her mind to never think about or bring up again, she yawned. The conversation with Granny took more out of her than she realized she lifted Jayden up with her magic and got on the couch and placed him back where he was laying before in the library only this time they were both laying on there sides with Moon being on the outside near the edge of the couch.

"Jayden, I don't know if you can hear me right now but I found somewhere we can stay the night." Moon whispered in Jayden's ear as she closed her eyes. She soon drifted of into the land of dreams that she has prevented herself from entering for so long.